Most people know this book series from the tv series made after the books. I
know a lot of people who watched the show first, then read the books.
Personally, I would never do that. I hate watching the remaking of books as
shows first, just because when you do go to read the books, your entire
perspective is altered due to the show. So as soon as I discovered the show,
and the books it was created for, I went out and got myself a copy of the
books first. Me and my best friend read them together, and when we both
finished all of the books, we watched the show together. They definitely
changed a lot of things in the show, as they usually do, but it really felt like a
whole plot-twist just watching the show. Overall, I’m definitely glad that I
read the books first, and would recommend doing it in that order.
“It was a summer I would never, ever forget. It was the summer everything
began. It was the summer I turned pretty. Because for the first time, I felt it.
Pretty, I mean. Every summer up to this one, I believed it’d be different. Life
would be different. And that summer, it finally was.”
― Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty
I thought that these books were very good, though many other people have
said that they thought the main character was obnoxious or whiny. The
Summer I Turned Pretty is a three book series, and I would say that they all
stay pretty consistently captivating throughout the series. Compared to a lot
of the other romance books I’ve read, these ones are definitely a lot more
drama-filled. However, that did not ruin them for me. I like the writing style
that the author uses, and how she includes flashbacks in the story.
The Summer I Turned Pretty follows main character Belly, who goes to stay
at a summer house every summer with her mother and brother. The house
belongs to Belly’s mother’s best friend, Susanna, who stays there with her
boys (Conrad and Jeremiah) too. Belly has had a crush on Conrad her whole
life, although he has never seemed to show any interest in her.
“I had been lying to myself, thinking I was free, thinking I had let him go. It
didn’t matter what he said or did, I’d never let him go.”
― Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty
When Belly comes back to the summer house this year, she has had, to say
the least, an amazing glow-up. She’s turned from a nerdy girl to a gorgeous
woman over the years. And those around her notice. Throughout the book,
there’s drama over many people, including Conrad, Jeremiah, and more.
To summarize: this book is very well written, and loved by many. It has many
characters involved, and a beautiful beach setting. All of the books in the
series are very good, and continuously captivating. However, if you don’t like
books with lots of drama, this book might not be for you! I would recommend,
and definitely read the books before watching the show!